The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-11-03

1t is recommended that the law governing
the taxation of private banks be carefully re-
vised, so as to prevent such manifest injustice.
The incorporated banks of the State naturally
think this is wrong, and they have according
ly been resorting to the courts for relief
against it, and in almost all cases with success,
the courts having held that inequalities should
be relieved against. A number of such suits
are now pending in the northern part OF the
State. In an important sense they involve
the entire tax duplicate, for they have been
instituted as test cases, and if successful, the
result will be to lessen the tax valuation of
our property many millions of dollars, and
throw our whole system into such confusion
as to produce the most embarrassing conse-
quences.
The Attorney-General, with the approval
of the Governor and State Auditor, has en-
ployed local counsel to represent the State in
these suits, and everything possible will be
done 10 successfully defend them. An ap-
preparation should be made to defray the ex-
penses of such Defense including counsel fees.
1t is obvious that so long as the
Present Valuation of Real Estate Stands.
property is even approximately correctly
valued, and the State will continue unable to
meet the public demands without embarrass-
ment.
It is recommended, therefore, that a
REVALUATION
be had at once instead OF waiting for tha
next decennial valuation in 1890. In order
that this may be done in such a way as to
secure a full and fair appraisement. it is
recommended that there be constituted
STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION,
consisting of eight members, not more than
four of whom shall be of the same political
party, to be appointed by some suitable
authority from the electors of the State, to
hold their Office for fixed term, and whose
l. Ill
and equalize the valuations to be made. The
number mentioned is thought to be large
enough to enable each of the leading indus
tries of the State to be represented, and at tine
same time not too large for efficient action.
1t is also thought that men SO selected will
have the interests of the whole State more in
mind, than if they should be elected to repre-.
sent some particular distrie or locality, in
which case experience has shown they are
too apt to act as though their highest duty
was to secure the lowest possible valuation
for their respective constituencies.
1t is further recommended that the duties
of equalization now devolved upon the Cover
nor, Acknowledgement and State Auditor, as
to bank shares, and upon the Attorney-GeE-
eral, Treasurer of State, and State Auditor, as
to railroads. be transferred to and imposed
upon this Board that there be, in short, one
and the same State Board, and one only, for
the equalization of all classes of property.
1t is further recommended that in all cities
having Board of Tax Commissioners, it be
made the duty of such Board to appoint all
the assessors and appraisers.
1t is confidently believed that if such legis-
lation can be had as is here attempted to
be indicated,
The Tax Duplicate Can Be Increased
so as to approximate our real wealth, and
that valuation can be 80 equalized as to Sc
cure uniformity and Justice for the whole
State, and that the rate of Taxation can be
lessened to the great benefit of all. while the
State will be afforded abundant revenue.
Respectfully submitted,
]. B. FORAKER, Governor.